Wolves memorabilia to go under the hammer

The items will be auctioned off at Cuttlestones in Wolverhampton as part of a special collectors sale. The 14 cards are signed by each player ahead of the final, which Wolves lost 4-1 to Portsmouth.

The set was originally awarded to a winner of the ‘lucky programme’ draw at Molineux in 1939, who had the choice of taking home either a ball from a league game or the cards. It includes legendary players Alex McIntosh and Dicky Dorset, as well as one of Wolves’ most successful players – and later manager – Stan Cullis.

Sales manager Tom Waldron said: “Whilst the team was ultimately defeated by Portsmouth in the final, the cards will still be of particular interest to collectors as not only are there just a few known to be in circulation, but the 1939 final was the last to be played before a six-year hiatus following the outbreak of the Second World War.”

An autograph album being auctioned off by a separate collector also includes 1935 Wimbledon Champion Fred Perry, the 1935-36 New Zealand ‘All Blacks’ tourist team, and cricketing legends Wally Hammond and Donald Bradman.

Bradman’s signature is amongst those of the victorious Australia Ashes tourist team of 1934, which also includes Captain Bill Woodfull and the prolific batsman Bill Ponsford. In the decisive fifth and final Test of the 1934 Ashes series, Bradman and Ponsford scored an astronomical 510 runs (a partnership of 451) of Australia’s total of 701; securing victory for the tourists.

Hammond’s signature features alongside those of the 1935 England XI who took on South Africa at Old Trafford in the fourth of a five-test home series. While both teams played to a draw in Manchester, the tourists went on to win the series one-nil, thanks to an earlier victory at Lord’s.

The Wolves cards have a guide price of £200 to £400, while the autograph album is expected to fetch at least £100.

The auction will take place from 10am on February 15 at the Clarence Street auction rooms, with viewings available between 10am and 7pm on February 14 and on the morning of the sale. Live online bids can be made via www.the-saleroom.com. Call 01902 421985.

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